Autumn crocus, a traditional Persian medicine for low back pain

Low back pain is a common symptom of chronic diseases such as spinal cancer, arthritis, spondylosis and kidney disease. It is also caused by mechanical issues and soft-tissue injuries, the most common of which is a torn (or pulled) muscle or ligament.

Today, there are plenty of treatments available for people experiencing low back pain. Physicians usually prescribe oral medications alongside physical therapy programs or other regimens.

Although these medications help relieve low back pain by reducing inflammation, they are also notorious for causing adverse effects. Hence, alternative treatments like manual manipulation and acupuncture have been gaining traction in recent years.

In a recent study published in the International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, researchers from Iran introduced another alternative medicine with a long history of use for treating low back pain.

The Rhazes tablet — named after the great Persian physician who developed it — is an herbal formula made from the flowering plant Colchicum autumnale (autumn crocus), whose corms serve as a great source of colchicine. Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory compound used to prevent flare-ups associated with gout and familial Mediterranean fever.

Rhazes tablet can effectively reduce pain severity

To test the effectiveness of the Rhazes tablet in providing pain relief, the researchers recruited 50 patients aged 19 to 59 years, all of whom were suffering from chronic low back pain for more than 12 weeks.

They divided the patients into two groups: 26 were assigned to the intervention group, while the remaining 24 were assigned to the control group. The researchers gave the former Rhazes tablet + ibuprofen (400 mg) and the latter a placebo + ibuprofen (400 mg).

During the first week, the participants received only one tablet, then two tablets from Week 2 to Week 4, and three tablets from Week 5 to Week 8. The researchers measured pain severity using the visual analog scale and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire on Weeks 0, 4 and 8.

Compared with the control group, the intervention group experienced a significant reduction in low back pain. Participants suffering from severe pain also experienced a reduction in pain severity after taking the Rhazes tablet for eight weeks. In contrast, pain severity increased in the control group.

The researchers also noted that apart from one participant who developed diarrhea during Week 5, the Rhazes tablet caused no other side effects. The issue was immediately remedied by reducing the participant’s dosage. Meanwhile, a male participant reported an increase in libido during Week 4 of treatment.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that the Rhazes tablet can effectively reduce the severity of low back pain.

Natural remedies for low back pain

Pain in the lower back can greatly affect your day-to-day activities, but persistent lower back pain can decrease your quality of life. Fortunately, there are safer alternatives to anti-inflammatory painkillers that are just as effective at reducing pain. Here are some ways that you can deal with lower back pain naturally. (h/t to Spine-Health.com)

• Boost your production of endorphins, which can help block pain signals, with aerobic exercise, massage therapy or meditation.
• Get enough restorative sleep by adopting healthy lifestyle changes and improving your sleep hygiene.
• Do simple exercises to strengthen your core muscles, which are responsible for supporting your lower spine.
• Engage your brain and teach it how to process pain signals better. Mindful pain management and cognitive behavioral therapy can help with this.
• Find relaxing and enjoyable activities that can make you feel happy. These can help reduce stress and provide pain relief.
• Do gentle stretching exercises at least twice a day. Tight hamstrings are a common cause of low back pain so stretching these muscles can help reduce pain severity.

There are many possible reasons why you experience lower back pain. The best way to address this is to determine the root of the issue. Before trying any home remedy, first obtain a proper diagnosis and seek advice from a trusted natural health practitioner who can tell you how best to manage your condition.

Sources include:

Science.news

Healthline.com

Spine-Health.com 1

Spine-Health.com 2

Link.Springer.com

NHS.uk

IJAM.co.in